Saturday, February 06, 2010

What if...


This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 7; the seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.


Age 3 years , 9 months and 2 days: My first memory.

Baba came in drunk. Heard Aai and Baba fight. Baba hit Aai.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 5 years, 1 month and 7 days: My first beating.

Baba came in drunk. Heard Aai and Baba fight. Baba hit Aai and then came after me.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 7 years, 4 months and 3 days: My first abuse.

Uncle came home. He put his hand on my mouth and touched me. I bled.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 9 years, 5 months and 5 days: My first burn.

Baba came home to find me reading. He took his bidi and burnt me. I had to learn cooking.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 13 years, 2 months and 9 days: My first proposal

Aai got me all ready in a saree. I had to serve tea to a family. She told me I was to get married. I didn't know that meant.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 15 years, 5 months and 20 days: My first hope crushed.

I was married to a boy I had seen once before. Maybe this life would end. He came home drunk on our first night and beat me after having sex.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 15 years, 11 months and 28 days: My first abortion.

I was pregnant for 3 months where they tested that my baby was a kill. They had her killed.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 16 years, 10 months and 13 days: My first child.

I was pregnant again. This time with a boy. He lived. All the time I had with him was when I had to feed him. I wanted to be with him more.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 17 years, 11 months and 15 days: My first girl

I was pregnant again. No testing this time. They already had a boy. I gave birth to a girl. Her father never asked to see her.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 20 years, 7 months and 23 days: My girl's first memory.

He came home drunk. He hit me. She watched.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 22 years, 3 months and 1 day: My girl's first beating.

He came home. He hit me and then lashed for her.

What if I had spoken up then?

Age 22 years, 3 months and 2 days: My first realisation.

My girl was living my life all over again.

I had to speak up now.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

112 comments:

Psych Babbler said...

Loved your take on the topic!!!

Karthik said...

Superb! Very innovative idea. You've used the title effectively. And at the same time, a very strong message.
Cheerios!

Preetam said...

bold-touching-awesome.

Tavish said...

I am speachless... u have echoed the thoughts of probably 60% of Indian women out there... and u used the topic brilliantly there... hats off to u....

Cheers!
Tavish
Latest Blog Post: What if...

debosmita said...

This was really really awesome! a wonderful take on the topic... keep up the good work :-)

all the best for BATOM

tushar said...

Touched.

Very well written.

sawan said...

this post some how have an effect. a chill, sadness, numb, don’t know wut the feel is. but there is a feel for sure. good one!

Freelancer said...

damn! that gave me the shivers!! oh an awesome write babes

Sureindran said...

wow! a new way of presenting your thoughts, i like it!

Varun Reddy said...

Serious take on a serious issue... I will highlight this post and base one of my future posts on this issue, which I feel needs to be properly addressed by the society... Thanks...

SiD said...

that is...errrrmmmm..... tell me frankly i hope its not ur story or anything,....


if its only fiction....AWESOME.

if its inspired...pls call cops, get those bastard in jail to rot...or leave them on the street...:(

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot. It is nice to see men agree on this. I understand not all men are the same and people who do such things are just not normal. But when I read such comments, it reminds me that there is hope!

psychedchick said...

This is the story of many a women in India. I try to help them whenever I can. It aint helpful if I stand up to them but I can help these women find their voices sooner :)

psychedchick said...

I hope it isnt numbness. I hope that it springs people into action. I hope I brought out what she feels so that next time people can help her find a voice!

psychedchick said...

Thanks, sweetheart!

psychedchick said...

Thanks!

psychedchick said...

Thank you thank you!

psychedchick said...

Wow! Thats a nice compliment!

psychedchick said...

Thanks :D

psychedchick said...

Thanks :) I am glad I was able to do justice to the topic...

psychedchick said...

I am glad that I could do justice to it!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot. Means a lot that you liked it!

Harsha said...

innovative and very creative, loved your style, it was a very good read...

Raksha Raman said...

Total justice done to the title! What a post! Totally loved the way you have voiced it! It conveyed the message and how! Glad that I stumbled upon this one! Good luck with BATOM :)

Pushpee said...

Wow! really liked your style....women will find their voice ...soon...high time world changed...nice writing!!

vibhuti bhandarkar said...

What a way to tell the woebegone tale of many women and their plight in India even till date!
Best 'What If' entry by far...
All the best for BATOM

psychedchick said...

I am glad you stumbled upon it too!

psychedchick said...

Thank you thank you :)

psychedchick said...

Sigh. I hope they find it soon :D

psychedchick said...

Thanks so much for the compliment! It means a lot that even one person thought that :D

Meenakshi Nair said...

awesome post..

touching and apt for the topic..

all the best for the BAT

chetan said...

a different what if
and true sometimes
good luck

Vipul Grover said...

Kudos.. othr thn the issue u raised here, what i liked is the way u prsntd it.. same thing wud hav been told in a vry monotous way nd hence wud have ended up 2 b jus anothr social issue write up.. bt the way u hav prsntd it does not only make one appreciate ur though process and the way u execute it but also the issue u raise here.. keep adding sch dimensions to blog-a-ton :)

Nabila said...

Wow......u know na girl ur amazing always :) loved it :)

psychedchick said...

Yay! Where is your post?

psychedchick said...

Thanks for the comment and wishes!

psychedchick said...

Thanks :D :D

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot. Unless stories have an impact, the message will get lost. People need to be woken up from a slumber. Thanks a lot.

Saro said...

I LOVED THIS! Great job! I'm envious!

mohan said...

Awesome!

Madhu | INDImag.com said...

Sorry for my late response, my site was hacked..

That's a compelling post with that hard hitting What-if leitmotif. Beautiful, very well done and has a very nice message. Reminded me of 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'. We need more of these.. :-)

psychedchick said...

Wow that is one hell of a compliment. Thanks a lot! I mean it! The comparison floored me.

psychedchick said...

Thank you.

psychedchick said...

Envious of? Why?

theschmuck said...

Goood.Just so soooooooooooo goood.Thats one big POW!I love it,and how!

psychedchick said...

*blush*

Murali said...

Very well handled.....and I am very glad too see such a topic being highlighted......if only something can be done..........................................

Makk said...

what if .... more chunk of women can think about it...and then ACT as well


good job lady!

Shruti said...

The best post I have read so far!! I loved the narration so much! Gud luck to u!

Tanmaya Acharya said...

Such a sad and painful story told in such a simple and beautiful way... awesome...
A very good post highlighting the plight of female children that sadly still exists in many parts of India...

aativas said...

that is the life cycle of most of the women here.. it is unfortunate .. you have captured it very well.. thanks for using blog to spread the right message.

DilOnTheRocks said...

Wonderful...So good..Just the minimal usage of words and yet soo many feelings conveyed..Too good..
Also, I liked the template..very much..I have the same one too..:)

Swayambhu said...

Wonderful.....really well written!!

BlabberBlah said...

gave me goosebumps! really nicely done...:)

Megha said...

Very creative & the end was unexpected. Good job :)

psychedchick said...

Thanks for the visit and the comment :D

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot!

psychedchick said...

:D I am unsure if I should be happy about it!

psychedchick said...

I like the simplicity of this template too :) Thanks for the comment!

geeta said...

A different take on the topic with a very common issue..
well done...
All the best for BATOM 7!!

psychedchick said...

I hope I could get the word around! It makes me feel so helpless!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot :D :D

psychedchick said...

I hope slowly we can get rid of it..Slowly but surely!

psychedchick said...

A lot can be done but the most important thing is to ask people to speak up against it!

psychedchick said...

I hope a lot of people can ACT!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot for yr wishes and the comment!

mahesh kalaal said...

Hi...

Am standing and clapping for exploring the much happening social malice in this so called land of karma bhoomi and veda bhoomi ....

Stupendous and quite rationally objective ......
kudos to you.....
great idea and perfect presentation.....
simple, straight but still impacting a ton .....
queer narration.....
did hit the bulls eye....
no second thoughts .....
quite original and innovative .....
keep up the great work and keep exploring the social arena .....


As of now your post is the top contender in my voting list ...
need to say more ?

all the best ....
:) :) :)

psychedchick said...

Yay! Your comment made me feel so damn happy! :D :D Thanks for the vote! :D

Annyesha said...

Amazing.. short, beautiful and strong!! Such a wonderful take.. I do not have enough words to explain.. I wish everyone would understand the agony of these women. Cheers to u for putting a feather in the cap. Best of luck.

Shahid said...

I dont think any one can handle anything like this better than what you did...brilliant piece of work

PS: my first time on ur blog...loved it!!

Archana said...

Hai!!

A message told in a simple way that left a strong impact.
Its time women speak and learn to say NO.

:~) good work!

shwe said...

ouch...ouch...ouch...what if i had spoken then???

dam rash..

i loved it...

Lettie said...

OH. MY. GOD!

I'm speechless, lost in a maze of What If's.... Still recovering from the impact this post had on me.... One of your best ones ever i would say....

You write too good girl!! I'm toh deffo voting for this one :)

Good job.... :D

Shas said...

Wonderfully written. It reminded me of the movie Chandani Bar though the plot line is slightly different but it also showed how the protagonist of the movie saw her daughter relive her (protagonist's) life.

Reema said...

This is awesome stuff. I found you from Leticia's post of FB. She was a colleague :) great stuff and keep it up.

Snehith said...

It's a beautiful post that captures the trauma and feeling a girl/woman go through/went through. I the likes.

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot. It needed to be said!

psychedchick said...

Me the likes the comment and the fact the youse make to me blog!

psychedchick said...

Thank you for the vote, the comment and the visit :D :D

psychedchick said...

I haven't watched that movie yet. Maybe now, I should!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot! I am glad you liked it1

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot and welcome to the blog. Hope you keep coming! :)

psychedchick said...

I agree completely :)

psychedchick said...

I hope many women find their voices!

Bella said...

Wow. That blew me away. It's all in a circle.

Gyanban said...

I didnt quite like it...I didnt quite enjoy reading it...

and that's exactly why I liked it. ! Congrats and well deserved.

Gyanban said...

I couldnt quite like the flow...I didnt quite enjoy reading it...

it was too vivid, ...it was too close to reality....

and that's exactly why I liked it. ! Congrats and well deserved.

Shilpa Garg said...

Congratulations Rashi!! Truly deserving win!! :)
Amazing take on the topic and very well executed!!
Cheers :)

Saurabh Panshikar said...

You totally deserve the win! I din vote this time, but I guess if I did, it'd have to be you!

Congrats

Aditya said...

I am just awestruck. Because of writers like you, Bloggers can make a difference in this society. Kudos to you and keep up the good work. And congrats for winning the Blog a ton Batom. Cheers! :)

psychedchick said...

Words will always be mighter than the sword, isnt it?

Thanks :)

Tavish said...

Congras on the Win Rashi!!! Keep writting! Btw u were a part of my final 2 shortlists for the vote! :)

Cheers!
Tavish
Latest Blog Post: Jab We Met...

Aman Arora said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wot a piece of writing...
full of feelings...
very well presented....

Hats Off to you!!!!

n ya congratzz lady... for winning.. BATOM-7

keep Writing..

Raji said...

Hi... That was amazing. We could really relate to the current situation in India now. I read it after I saw you win BLOG-A-Ton7... BTW, Congrats. I love your writing.. Do keep writing.. I'm blogrolling ya... C ya

mahesh kalaal said...

Hi ....

Congrattttsss....

You know i voted for you at "12 Feb 2010 22:00:00" ..... exactly the last minute and i almost ran from my class at 9.30 to make it before 10 ....... didnt get a cabin in net cafe til 9.45.....and finally am in.
After writing a lengthy comment, the system got struck, at 9.57..... God..... restarted.....2 mins....opened blog a ton......1 min.... commenting.....its exactly 10.....submit comment ...... done.

Hmmm....am glad that my vote did made the tilt.... :)

Keep Going....

cheers,
Mahesh Kalaal

Nethra said...

Its was a nice story. :)
Anyways, congrats for winning BAT-7!

Aditi said...

Splendid... I had goosebumps.. wow..nicely written...

psychedchick said...

Yes. Unfortunately or fortunately, only we can stop this circle! Thanks!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot for the visit and the comment!

psychedchick said...

Err..Thanks I guess :D

psychedchick said...

Thank you. Thank you!

psychedchick said...

Ah! Thanks a lot! :)

psychedchick said...

Thanks for the visit, the comment and the blog roll. Hope to see you around! :D

psychedchick said...

Thanks :) :D

psychedchick said...

Ah thanks :) Goosebumps in such cases are good, I suppose!

psychedchick said...

Thanks a lot :D

psychedchick said...

Ah! The man who made the difference. Thanks a lot for your vote and rushing just in time to cast your vote! Means a lot! Thanks thanks :D

Arjit Srivastava said...

Very well written, loved it. SUPER! =)
And now, I want you to write a guest post for me. (Though, I know my blog is not worth writing!) By the way, can I actually use this post on my blog with PROPER credits to you? LOVED IT LIKE ANYTHING! :)

psychedchick said...

Surea go ahead! :)

Rajlakshmi said...

that is so brillianly written... expressed so well...
congratz on the win...

rahul said...

damn!!that was great...brilliant...!you seem to know how to bring about 'perfect endings'

psychedchick said...

I wouldn't know if that was perfect. I hope so!